If you decide to hunt this big old buck you should also decide to hunt all day. You shouldalso think about how hegot so big. If you think that arriving at your stand 20minutes before legal shooting begins, IMHO, that's your first mistake of the day and it's still very early.

By the time you get all setup and wait to legally begin shooting, that big old buck, has long since passed through and is bedded for most of his day. You must understand and appreciate who you're dealing with here. Is it possible to see him an hour after sunrise,of course it is, but don't bet on it. One person in a previous reply called him "GHOST" after hunting him for 3 years. How many times have I heard that?

You need to get setup 2 hours before. If he comes through while it's still dark, you may only be able to hear him or see parts of him but you'll know how and when he's moving and in what direction. You now have another piece of the puzzle.

I didn'tintend to paint a picture that this buck is unshootable. Rather I try to understand that he knows his woods, every single piece of it and most importantly understands what he must do or must not do, to put him in adangerous situation.

As soon as hunters enter his woods, he imediately knows what's going on.He has learned over the years what to do, what not to do, where to go and where not to go. He does not understand that he is being hunted and that those loud noises can take his life. All he understands is that this is his woods and he will do whatever it takes to avoid these strange looking people, running aroundinorange and camo.